Simply relaxing cafe

Driving down Centre Street towards downtown on a particularly frenetic day — I saw him.

I was yelling into my lousy speaker phone, competing with the chatter of my GPS, stressed and rushing to get to the next assignment when he caught my eye.

He was siting by the window sipping a latte and looking utterly relaxed.

I made a mental note and told myself I, too, would indulge in the placid afternoon outing and pay a visit to the cafe.

Simply Delicious Coffee & More proved to be an absolute slice of nice.

You could argue against the claim it is “simply delicious,” but the setting is perfectly perfect.

The sunny spot along 16 Ave. N.W. — kitty corner to where the big, old, red brick building was once situated — is a slice of serenity located in the ground-level of an office building boasting basic breakfast and lunch items and friendly counter service.

As a half-dozen biscuits cooled, owner Kate checked on a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven while I waited for my breakfast guest and helped myself to the self-serve coffee.

“It’s a great place for a quick bite,” he said once he sat down as the sounds of a cappuccino being made echoed in the cafe.

“It’s a good location.”

His bagel with bacon was wholesome with real cheese, while my breakfast burrito (for $2.25, believe it or not,) was basic but decent.

It took us a while to get comfortable in the patio-style wire seats but once we did, the place proved perfect to linger for a few hours to catch up — a brief reprieve from the crazy work world.

The menu is nothing extravagant but it’s got more than enough to meet anyone’s fancy.

There are breakfast bagels, bagels with cream cheese, all priced at a few affordable bucks.

There is fresh fruit, banana bread, caramel squares and other pastries along with a variety of speciality coffees.

The cheese omelette and toast is $7.50 and there are several lunch items ranging from burgers to grilled cheese and taco Tuesdays.

There are three parking spots behind the building and apparently plenty of parking along nearby residential streets.

Most of the customers at Simply Delicious file in from offices in the building and Kate says she knows 90% of them by name or by order.

I’ll probably be recognized as “breakfast burrito and a coffee” girl in no time.